Friday, February 29, 2008

100: the best chewy oatmeal raisin cookies ever

So, I wasn't going to blog today. I'm tired, it's raining, the pictures wouldn't come out right...but then I realized that it's the 29th of February, and I won't have the chance to blog on this day for 4 years. Plus, I made the best, chewiest oatmeal cookies I've ever had, and if that doesn't deserve some sort of mention, then I don't know what does!

Oatmeal cookies are my favorite kind of everyday cookie, as long as their chewy. I've tried so many recipes, and none of them have ever really come out right. I spotted this recipe from Nick Malgieri via David Lebovitz's website a while ago, and I knew I wanted to try it. First, because it's David Lebovitz and his blog is totally cool, and oh yeah, his recipes ain't bad either. And he says they're chewy. And the whole batch only has 2tbsp of fat! Most oatmeal cookie recipes call for 1 cup of butter!

Well, I was not disappointed. These are as chewy and delicious as any I've ever had. There's no way anyone would ever guess that they're actually (sort of) healthy. The search for the best oatmeal cookie is over!

I made these as written, with the substituion of a little flax for the egg. (Sorry, David. It's not like I substituted tofu for the oats or anything!)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and set the rack on the lower and upper thirds of the oven.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in the brown sugar, then the egg, applesauce, and vanilla.

4. Stir in the dry ingredients, then the oats and raisins.

5. Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons 2-inches apart on the baking sheets and use a fork to gently flatten the dough.

6. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they "look dull on the surface but are moist and soft". Rotate baking sheets during baking for even heating.

Don't bake them until they look golden brown. Really! Resist temptation!! Take them out of the oven as soon as they look slightly blond and are no long wet on the top. Otherwise you'll have crunchy oatmeal cookies. Blech.

Storage: Once cool, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Oatmeal raisin cookies are some of the best cookies out there. These look incredible and they are so healthy too! I would probably substitute canola oil for the margarine and try it with a whole wheat pastry flour perhaps.

Whenever I need to whip up a batch of oatmeal cookies, I usually look at the inside lid of the Quaker Oats container. Those are good, but these look much better and healthier, a real treat. Thanks!

I always botch them. These are the best ever. Did not have apple sauce. Substituted grated fresh Gala. Used olive oil instead of marge as well. Added1/4 cup ground wallnuts. They taste chewy and banana-y. Thanks. Ziki

These cookies are amazing! Being a new vegan I was skeptical but they really did come out better than regular cookies!

I made a few changes.

I used Ener_G egg replacer instead of flax. I substituted canned pumpkin for the applesauce, added carob chips (they taste exactly like chocolate chips), a pinch of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and a handful of raisins. I used a splash of soy milk for moisture.

I make these all the time :) Except since going vegan I've lost my super sweet tooth so I cut the sugar by half and also add cinnamon and 1tbs golden syrup to give the cookies more depth (Aussie thing)....they are still really sweet but not so bad for you :)

Thanks for sharing this with us! I'll try this out and share it with the kids. I always try to convince them to eat clean and healthy foods, so that they'll grow up to be very healthy people. I'm on this healthy diet called the "Eat clean" diet. Foods allowed in this diet can fill you up but won't make you fatter, but instead make you even slimmer with the help of exercise, of course.

So I have seen your blog for the first time and I must say that I'm impressed with this recipe. I absolutely love oatmeal raisin cookies and they are my favorite I must admit. Unfortunately I cant seem to find a good cookie without it being too dry or too sweet. Looking forward to trying this recipe out. Thanks for the post